A Manchester man his life-changing work with the disabled, sick, elderly and those suffering from Long Covid has been featured in a UK-first art installation in St James’s Park in London
Javeno McLean,whose inspirational social media videos have garnered millions of followers worldwide,is one of seven community ‘Game Changers’ from across the UK—everyday heroes who’ve transformed their communities, thanks to National Lottery funding.
Created by renowned grandmaster graffiti artist Luis Gomez De Teran, known for his striking urban art that combines elements of grandmaster techniques and graffiti.
Javeno McLean is an inspiring fitness coach, community champion and social media personality who has dedicated his life to empowering the disabled, elderly, and those struggling with severe health challenges. As the founder of the award-winning J7 Health Centre in Blackley, North Manchester, with the help of National Lottery funding, Javeno has transformed his gym into a sanctuary where movement and laughter take centre stage. Javeno has worked with elderly people suffering from Long Covid, those with memory issues, as well as disabled young people and their carers.
Regardless of what Javeno’s clients might be going through, his aim is to make all of it fall away during their time inside his gym, and to brighten their day through movement and laughter.
“I’m dealing with people every day that are in pain that have been situations that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and yet they don’t complain.” says Javeno
”They don’t moan, they just crack on and I think that’s a lesson everybody should embrace. What I’m doing now, with my gym and the help of National Lottery funding is powerful and it’s changing not just my community or my city or the country, it’s changing the world every single day. People from around the world are getting inspired as a result of my daft energy and what I’m doing. That’s enough for me, and as long as that continues, I’m a happy man.”
David Knott, chief executive officer at The National Lottery Community Fund, added:”Celebrating The National Lottery’s 30th birthday is a momentous occasion, and there’s no better way to mark it than by honouring extraordinary people who have changed the game for their communities across the UK, thanks to three decades of support from National Lottery players.
“At The National Lottery Community Fund, we believe everything starts with community. Every three minutes a community shares its dream with us, and every eight minutes, we award a grant to help make those dreams a reality. So, we are thrilled to showcase these powerful stories and hope this incredible installation will inspire even more people to see the difference National Lottery funding could make in their own communities.”
To mark the 30th anniversary of the first draw in 1994, The National Lottery is celebrating 30 inspirational people – Game Changers – who have achieved amazing things across the UK in the last 30 years, with the help of National Lottery funding.
28 Game Changers will be revealed in September and October at four installations which will focus on an area of National Lottery funding including, the arts & film, heritage, sport and community.
The final two Game Changers will be announced on The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash scheduled for broadcast on ITV on 31 December.
